Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position in their 27-22 loss to the Steelers on Sunday:
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson keeps getting better, but it might be too late to help save the Ravens’ season. He made some decent runs Sunday, even threatening to go out on the perimeter several times on option keepers. But it took the Ravens way too long to realize that outside linebacker T.J. Watt kept crashing down on every play and finally in the second half they figured out how to attack Watt with fullback Patrick Ricard. Regardless, whatever the reason, Jackson isn’t as fast or as quick as he used to be and he completed only 19 of 35 passes for 219 yards with one touchdown and one interception and finished with a passer rating of 71. Overall, it’s an improvement from what we’ve seen in the past four weeks. Grade: C+
Running backs
Starter Derrick Henry pounded the Steelers for 94 yards on 25 carries, and Keaton Mitchell had six carries for 76 yards, including a 55-yard burst. Mitchell might have made a difference late in the game, but he left in the second half with a knee injury. He is a good change-of-pace back for Baltimore. The Ravens had 40 carries for 217 yards but waited too long to punish the Steelers up front. Pittsburgh entered Sunday allowing 117 rushing yards per game. Baltimore, though, should have committed to running the ball in the first half. They had 19 carries for 73 yards and clearly the Steelers’ defensive line was gassed in the second half. Jackson rushed seven times for 43 yards. Grade: B+
Offensive line
Pittsburgh had only two sacks and five quarterback hits, but it kept constant pressure on Jackson, who still can’t decide if he wants to run or pass in tough situations. Both tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten had trouble with outside linebackers Alex Highsmith and Watt, and Jackson was under duress because both guards, Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, got beat inside. There were times when Faalele looked lost simply because of his foot speed. Overall, though, the Ravens had opportunities to win and the best shot to pull that off was by running the ball. Baltimore did that, but it still continues to struggle as far as pass blocking. Grade: C
Receivers
The Ravens finally accomplished one thing: they got slot receiver Zay Flowers more touches. Flowers had eight catches for 124 yards, but this group seemed uninterested, and maybe that’s because the Ravens ran the ball so much. Tight end Isaiah Likely’s near 13-yard touchdown reception with 2:47 left in the game should have been confirmed, but instead it was ruled incomplete. The worst part is that after Likely fumbled on the goal line against the Bengals on Thanksgiving Day, he should have known to tuck the ball. There are no more excuses. Jackson was simply off on some of his throws, like the one to DeAndre Hopkins out of bounds or his overthrows of Rashod Bateman and Flowers. It wasn’t a great day for the receivers, but this group didn’t need to be great, just adequate. Grade: C-
Defensive line
Pittsburgh had only 34 yards on 17 carries, but that was enough to complement the offense. The Steelers simply had a running game only to keep Baltimore’s defensive line honest. The Ravens, though, didn’t get their hands up to knock down a lot of short passes thrown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They got some pressure on Rodgers, but he showed his best mobility in recent weeks. Tackle John Jenkins had only one tackle and Travis Jones finished with one, too. Tackle C.J. Okoye almost had the play of the game when he tipped a Rodgers pass in the second half, but a Teddye Buchanan interception was nullified because Rodgers caught the ball first and had one knee on the ground. That was actually the correct call. Unfortunately, the Ravens didn’t have a sack on Rodgers and had only three quarterback hurries. Grade: B–
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith had 10 tackles to lead the team, but there were times when he looked lost on the field, like on Kenneth Gainwell’s 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The linebackers still can’t cover well, as exemplified on Jaylen Warren’s 38-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. It was a short pass in the flat, and how many times have we seen that this season? And one more thing, outside linebacker Mike Green, he went that way. The Ravens tried several different blitzes up the middle, but that stuff doesn’t work against proven quarterbacks like Rodgers. Grade: C-
Secondary
Pittsburgh came into the game with a small ball offense but completed passes of 52, 38 and 31 yards. The Steelers took the Ravens to task, especially on the outside with cornerback Marlon Humphrey trying to play against DK Metcalf, who had seven catches for 148 yards. As far as tackling, it was an atrocious day for this group. Starting cornerback Nate Wiggins missed a bunch of tackles even though he finished with six, and the Ravens need to find a way to get Humphrey help when he is isolated on the outside. Rodgers made this group look really bad. There were times when the secondary looked lost. Again. Grade: D
Special teams
Rookie Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 36, 28 and 36 yards, but how does he miss an extra point try? Also, I thought the Ravens had gotten over the mishaps with the directional kickoffs, but they continue to flounder. Whenever rookie LaJohntay Wester returns a punt, you just kind of hold your breath. This is the NFL, not college football. One move, and then go north and south, not east and west. You’re not outrunning anybody in this league. Wester averaged 4.7 yards on three punt returns. Not good. Jordan Stout averaged 51 yards on two punts. Grade: C-
Coaching
The Ravens were ready for a physical game, and they got one. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh was willing to gamble early and had success, which resulted in a 17-9 halftime lead. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken tried several new combinations with Henry and Mitchell both playing, but he waited too long to to go with the ground game. As for the Ravens’ defense, there isn’t much to be said. They can’t cover, and they don’t have a pass rusher. End of conversation. Grade: C-
Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun.